OF COURSE a literal two-way street is for automobiles to drive in both directions on it. Most of the paved ones have a painted line down the center of it to remind the drivers to stay on their side of the road. In passing traffic going in the same direction it is permissible to do so under safe and legal conditions. Here in America we drive on the right side of the road; whereas, in England the British drive on the wrong side of the road.

The term “a two-way street” is often used in a figurative way in referring to a reciprocal situation. Reciprocal is mutual or equivalent relationship and action between two or more people. For example: When Europeans first invaded the North American continent the Native Americans were accustomed to giving gifts with the understanding the other person would in turn give them a gift of similar value unto them. If this was not done then the one receiving a gift was expected to return it unto the giver.

IT IS natural for us to feel indebted to those who were thoughtful and helpful unto us in some special way. We are more inclined to come to their aid in the future if at all possible and the opportunity comes our way.

Dub Mowery is a Gospel preacher in the Church of Christ. A native of Southeast Oklahoma, he is the author of Colloquial Sayings & Expressions (Morris Publishing, 2008)